Book Release: The Love Thief

Congrats to member Daisy Jerico on her novel The Love Thief, published by Prism Book Group.

Summary: When the jewelry gallery she works at is robbed, Sandra is not just the prime suspect; she is the only suspect. Desperate to clear her name, she reluctantly agrees to work with sexy former jewel thief, Alex Daniels, to recover the jewelry and catch a thief. 

Holiday Party

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 in the lower level conference room at the Oshkosh Public Library. 

Per tradition, we will be doing a white elephant gift exchange so everyone is asked to bring a gift-wrapped new or gently used item that you currently have laying around the house - something you never use or don't need anymore. 

You are also welcome to bring a snack to share.

The event is free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Meeting Reminder

 Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Dixie is the Spotlight Author.

Don't forget that our annual White Elephant Gift Exchange will be held during our Dec. 21 meeting. All you need to do is find an item around your house that is in good condition and never used - wrap it up and bring it!

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Whether or not you're participating in National Novel Writing Month, you're welcome to join us for a Sugar Rush writing session at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20th. Donuts and orange juice will be available. For more information, click here.

Bill Ramsey's Blog

Love politics? Interested in history? Be sure to check out member Bill Ramsey's blog "Connect the Dots."

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Night of Writing Dangerously

Please join us for a Night of Writing Dangerously from 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Oshkosh Public Library. Whether writing for NaNoWriMo or working on a different writing project, all area writers are welcome to participate in the after-hours lock-in. Refreshments will be served. 

The library will be closed to the public but a volunteer will be at the public entrance to let writers in. Sorry,  library computers are not available for use!

Questions? Email oawc@aol.com or call the library at 236-5203.

Laurie Malliett - Book Release Party

Congrats to Laurie Malliett on the publication of her inspirational book, "Tamar's Closet, A Journey Of Healing." The book about domestic violence offers guidance and encouragement to abused women.

A book release party for Laurie will be held Saturday Nov. 30th, from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Paper Valley Hotel, 333 West College Ave., Appleton, WI 

2013 National Novel Writing Month

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club is thrilled to be hosting NaNoWriMo write-ins at the Oshkosh Public Library:

Pre-Plan Your Novel
We’re going to pump you up with great advice on how to plan your upcoming masterpiece, and tricks to avoid writer’s block.
1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, Lower Level Conference Room

Kick-Off Party
Come prepared to write! We want you to get a great start on your commitment to write 50,000 words. Refreshments will be served.
6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1
Note: Library will be closed to the public. Use north entrance, adjacent to parking lot.

Night of Writing Dangerously

Need some words? Let us help you with plot ninjas, word sprints and other support in a quiet setting designed to get you to your word count goal.
6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, Nov. 9
Note: Library will be closed to the public. Use north entrance, adjacent to parking lot.

Halfway Hell
Are you over 25,000 words at this point? Whether you are or not, stop in to spend an hour or two writing with friends.
1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, Waters Building (Under the Dome)

Sugar Rush
Fuel your writing with donuts and juice. Stop in and celebrate or commiserate with fellow authors. While you're here, add a few thousand words to your word count.
10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, Waters Building (Under the Dome)

Thank God It’s Over Party
Join your fellow authors in a celebration of your effort, win or lose.
1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30^th
Waters Building (Under the Dome)
Refreshments will be served

The events are funded by the Friends of the Oshkosh Public Library.

For more information on these and other area NaNoWriMo events, please email oawc@aol.com

 

New Arrivals

A selection of new books at Oshkosh Public Library:  

Astrology For Writers : Spark Your Creativity Using The Zodiac by Corrine Kenner

To Show And To Tell : The Craft Of Literary Nonfiction by Phillip Lopate

Write Your Novel In A Month: How To Complete A First Draft In 30 Days And What To Do Next by Jeff Gerke

Find Your Story, Write Your Memoir by Lynn C. Miller

How To Blog A Book: Write, Publish And Promote Your Work One Post At A Time by Nina Amir




Writing 21st Century Fiction: High-impact Techniques For Exceptional Storytelling by Donald Maass

Sell Your Book Like Wildfire: The Writer's Guide To Marketing & Publicity by Rob Eager

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Chuck and Bill are sharing the Author Spotlight, since both their pieces are relatively short.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Attention DoeHEADS!*

Local author Jim Metz has a new book out, "Lizzie McCourt: Baby Doe's Legend Begins Here," available on e-book. Members may recall reviewing a draft of the book a few years ago. The book is about Lizzie's formative years in Oshkosh as the daughter of clothier Peter McCourt, before she married Harvey Doe in 1877 and moved to Colorado.

*A DoeHEAD is a fan of Oshkosh native "Baby Doe" Tabor; babydoe.org is their homepage.

Meeting Reminder - Oct. 5

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.

Chuck is the Author Spotlight.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Local Author Visit - Jack Kile

Oshkosh author Jack Kile will talk about his book, Hospice, Humor, Music and More: A Volunteer's Prospective  at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library.

Jack E. Kile, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. For 35 years, he was a teacher and clinical audiologist serving hearing-impaired individuals. Dr. Kile received a number of professional awards for his teaching and clinical work, including the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Distinguished Teaching Award, Fellow of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), ASHA's Outstanding Clinical Achievement Award for Wisconsin and the Honors of the the Wisconsin Speech-Language-Hearing Association. For the past six years, Dr. Kile has been a hospice volunteer with the role of providing emotional support for patients and their families. In addition to professional experience serving people with illness and disability, he brings a sense of humor and love of music and song to his hospice work. He frequently gives presentations to church, health care, retirement, service and volunteer groups.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Library at 236-5205.

Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. 

There is no Author Spotlight.

Meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older. For more information, email oawc@aol.com

Local Author Visit - Leslie Raddatz

Local author Leslie Raddatz, a survivor of childhood abuse, recounts her journey from victim to survivor and shows how recognizing and treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can lead to healing and hope. Her book, Flashbacks in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, deals with PTSD not only among military veterans, but anyone who has experienced a traumatic event.

Her program, "Help, Hope & Healing," will be held Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the Library at 920-236-5205.

You can follow Leslie on twitter: @lraddatz1

Meeting Reminder - Aug. 17

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library 106 Washington Ave. Janet is the Spotlight Author.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 or older.

Meeting Reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, in the lower level conference room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Tom is the Spotlight Author.

Upcoming Spotlights are Janet on Aug. 17 and Pat on Sept. 7.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Author Spotlight Schedule

“Author Spotlight” allows writers to bring in pieces of work that are eight or more pages, or a compilation of pieces that are best read/reviewed together. The last hour of each Saturday meeting is devoted to discussing the works of the featured author, which is read prior to the meeting. Advance registation is required.

Author Spotlight Schedule:

Saturday, July 20 - Judi S.

Saturday, Aug. 3 - Tom

Saturday, Aug. 17 - Dixie

Saturday, Sept. 7- Pat 

Meeting Reminder - July 20

Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 20, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Judi is the Spotlight Author.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age and older.

Jess Riley's Release Party, July 16th

Oshkosh author and speaker at the 2013 Lakefly Literary Conference, Jess Riley will read from her newest novel, "Mandatory Release," and discuss summer reading picks. 

The event is 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, 2013  at Becket's Restaurant in Oshkosh. Tickets are $25 and includes hors d'oeuvres. Cash bar available. For more information or to register online, please click here.

The event is sponsored by the UW-Oshkosh Alumni Association with proceeds benefitting the Winnebago County Literacy Council.

Meeting Reminder - June 15

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 15 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Chuck is the Spotlight Author.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

For those members who have been around for awhile, Tom alerted me that one of the club's poets (and an original member) Karl Schulz, passed away last week. 

As you can tell by the obit, he was a true raconteur, and his poet was a hoot!

Passing of Karl Schulz

It's with a saddened heart that we announce the passing of one of the writers club's original members, Karl Schulz. He was a wonderful poet and storyteller...a true raconteur! Our sympathies to his Pat, and the rest of this family.

Meeting reminder - June 1st

Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Laurie is the Spotlight Author.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Jade Ring Contest

The deadline for the Jade Ring Contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Writers Association, is June 15. Some details below:

PRIZES
First Place: $100 
Second Place: $70 
Third Place: $40 
Honorable Mention: Certificate

CATEGORIES
Fiction: For Young People: 2,000 Words For Adults: 5,000 Words
Nonfiction: Essay: 1,500 Words Memoir/Reminiscence: 1,500 words
Poetry: Formal: 1 poem no more than 75 lines
Free Verse: 1 poem no more than 75 lines

For full details, visit: www.wiwrite.org 

2013 Lakefly Literary Conference

About 90 people attended the Lakefly Literary Conference, May 10-11 in downtown Oshkosh. Speakers included poet Max Garland, screenwriter James Strauss, horror writer Mort Castle, and CNN writer/novelist John DeDakis.

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club is proud to have been a partner in this event and we look forward to assisting with the 2014 conference.

Photos highlights of the Lakefly Literary Conference are on its Facebook Page.

Go to www.lakeflylit.org to read the winning writing contest entries. Almost $1000 was awarded in cash prizes; be sure to enter in 2014!

Meeting Reminder

Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. There is no Spotlight Author. Upcoming Spotlight Authors are Laurie M. on June 1st and Chuck on June 15.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Meeting Reminder

Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 20th in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. We will be joined by six UW-Oshkosh students to judge contest entries for the city-wide Create-A-Book contest for students in grades 3 through 5th. Sub sandwiches will be served about 11 a.m.

There is still time to register for the Lakefly Literary Conference, May 10-11 at the Oshkosh Convention Center. A newly added feature: Susan Banganz from Prism Book Group is offering free, 15-minute pitches for romance writers. For more information, visit www.lakeflylit.org

Also, tickets are on sale for Michael Perry and The Long Beds, on Friday, May 10th at the Grand Opera House; only $25! Order tickets.

Attention Romance Writers!

The Lakefly Literary Conference is pleased announce Acquisitions Editor Susan Baganz will be available for free, 15-minute pitches with potential romance authors for Prism Book Group.

Susan says she is looking for romance, romance, romance...contemporary, historical (especially Regency), Western, Comedy or Romantic Suspense (no Amish, please). She likes romances that fit the publisher’s Diamond or Inspired lines. Give her a creative happy ending and she’ll be tickled raspberry!

You can sign-up for a pitch on Saturday, May 11; first come, first served. 

The Lakefly Literary Conference will be held May 10 and 11 for beginning and established writers of all genres at the Oshkosh Waterfront Premiere Conference Center, downtown Oshkosh.

Judging Create-a-Book Contest

It's that time again! On Saturday, April 20, the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will judge entries for the Create-a-Book contest. The city-wide contest was open to Oshkosh children in grades three through five. 

This will be our 6th year judging the contest!

Meeting Reminder

A quick reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club meets at 10 a.m. April 6 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. (The conference planning committee will meet at 9:10 a.m.).

There is no Spotlight Author.

The Spotlight Author for April 20 is Janet.

Author Visit - Abby Frucht

Author Abby Frucht will talk about her latest book, a collection of short stories titled "Bell at the End of a Rope."  The program begins at 6:30pm, Tuesday, April 9, in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.

The recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships, a New Voices Award from Quality Paperback Book Club, and several citations for notable books from The New York Times,, Abby won the Kay W. Levin Short non-fiction prize from the Council for Wisconsin Writers. A committed mentor who has taught for 16 years in the MFA in Writing Program at Vermont College of Fine Arts, she lives in Wisconsin.

Abby will read from her book and talk about the writing life. There is will be a Q&A session at the end.

The event is free and open to the public.

Billie's Blog

Club member Billie Jean Dierson has a blog at www.theuncommonblonde.com.

Her latest entry is about the CLIO awards and television commercials.

Saturday, March 16 "Book Bash"

The theme for the Saturday, March 16,  Oshkosh Saturday Farmers Market is Winter is "Book Bash."  They will be featuring local authors to sell and/or sign their books. 

The winter farmers market is held in Becket's Atrium in the City Center, 2 Jackson St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There are a few spots available for local authors to sign and sell their books. Contact Kathleen Witman at 920//379//3741 for more info.

Meeting, Conference and Prizes!

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m Saturday, March 16 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Billie D. is the Spotlight Author.

Reminder: The early-bird registration fee of $45 for the Lakefly Literary Conference, downtown Oshkosh, ends March 31! Scheduled authors include horror writer Mort Castle, Wisconsin Poet Laurette Max Garland, local author Jess Riley, CNN writer John Dedakis and others. You can NOT go wrong for $45...and that includes lunch! For more information, go to www.lakeflylit.org

If you like cash prizes, be sure to check out Lakefly's writing contests as well. Top prize is $400; no entry fee. Deadline is March 31st.

Lakefly Literary's Flash Fiction Contest

The Lakefly Literary Conference is sponsoring a flash fiction writing contest: 

This is an opportunity to attempt what is one of the most difficult and rewarding tasks - to create, in a tiny fragment, a completely resolved and compelling story in 500 words or less. No entry fee. A prize of $100 will be awarded for the well-written story that is the most memorable.

FLASH FICTION CONTEST RULES:

1.  Authors must reside in, attend school in Wisconsin, or register for the
Lakefly Literary Conference May 10-11, 2013.

2.  Stories must be no more than 500 words in length.

3.  Authors are encouraged to submit an entry via email. Embed it in the body of the email or send it as a pdf to Lakeflylit [at]aol dot com. Authors may also submit
by sending their manuscript to the following address:

          Lakefly Conference
          C/O Oshkosh Public Library
          106 Washington Ave.
          Oshkosh, WI 54901

4.  Writers should include a 100 word or less biography written in third person.
Include your website if you wish.

5.  One entry per author.

6.  Entries must be postmarked on or before March 30th, 2013 or received
electronically by 12:00 am by March 30th, 2013.

7.  Previously published stories (in print or online) are not eligible.

8.  Each manuscript must be typed, double-spaced, in standard 10- or 12-point
font.  Each page must include the title of the story as a header.  All pages must
be numbered with both an individual page number and the total number of
pages (e.g., Stormy Night, page 1/15, Stormy Night, page 2/15, Stormy Night,
page 3/15, etc.).

9.  The author's name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address (if
available); and the story word count must be included. These will be
obscured before judging.

10.  Keep a copy of your manuscript! Manuscripts will be recycled, not returned.
Do not send an SASE.

11.  Contest winner and runner up will be contacted via email (or phone number)
before they are announced at The Lakefly Literary Conference.

Jean Nelson Award Writing Contest

The Lakefly Literary Conference is sponsoring the Jean Nelson Award.

A prize of $400 dollars will be awarded for the best essay with the theme of the impact a library has made on your life or your family.  An honorable mention prize of $100 will also be awarded.  We are looking for a moving, well-written original work of nonfiction. The contest is open to authors residing in, attending school in Wisconsin, or attending the Lakefly Literary Conference May 10-11, 2013.  There is no fee to enter.

THE JEAN NELSON AWARD CONTEST RULES:

1.  Authors must reside in, attend school in Wisconsin, or regiser for the
Lakefly Literary Conference May 10-11, 2013.

2.  Essays need to have the theme a library's impact on you or your family.

3.  Limit your essay to 2500 words or less.

4.  Authors are encouraged to submit an entry via email.  Embed it in the body of the email or send it as a pdf to Lakeflylit [at]aol dot com.  Authors may also submit
by sending their manuscript to the following address:

          Lakefly Conference
          C/O Oshkosh Public Library
          106 Washington Ave.
          Oshkosh, WI 54901

5. Writers should include a 100 word or less biography written in third person.
Include your website if you wish.

6. One entry per author.

7. Entries must be postmarked on or before March 30th, 2013 or received
electronically by 12:00 am by March 30th, 2013.

8. Previously published works (in print or online) are not eligible.

9. Each manuscript must be typed, double-spaced, in standard 10- or 12-point
font.  Each page must include the title of the story as a header.  All pages must
be numbered with both an individual page number and the total number of
pages (e.g., Stormy Night, page 1/15, Stormy Night, page 2/15, Stormy Night,
page 3/15, etc.).

10. The author's name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address (if
available); and the story word count must be included on a cover sheet.  Do
not include personal information on subsequent pages.

11.  Keep a copy of your manuscript! Manuscripts will be recycled, not returned.
Do not send an SASE.

12.  Contest winner and runner up will be contacted via email (or phone number)
before they are announced at The Lakefly Literary Conference.

Lakefly Literary's Short Story Contest

The Lakefly Literary Conference is sponsoring a short story contest:

Have an unpublished short story?  Send it in today.  Any genre.  No entry
fee.  Winner of the contest receives $100.  One honorable mention will
receive $75.  Results announced at the Lakefly Literary Conference May
11th, 2013.  Please see contest rules below:

SHORT STORY CONTEST RULES:
1.  Authors must reside in, attend school in Wisconsin, or register for
Lakefly Literary Conference May 10-11, 2013.

2.  Stories must be no more than 2,500 words in length.

3.  Authors are encouraged to submit an entry via email. Embed it in the body of the email or send it as a pdf to Lakeflylit [at]aol dot com. Authors may also submit
by sending their manuscript to the following address:

          Lakefly Conference
          C/O Oshkosh Public Library
          106 Washington Ave.
          Oshkosh, WI 54901

4.  Writers should include a 100 word or less biography written in third person.
Include your website if you wish.

5.  One entry per author.

6.  Entries must be postmarked on or before March 30th, 2013 or received
electronically by 12:00 am by March 30th, 2013.

7.  Previously published stories (in print or online) are not eligible.

8.  Each manuscript must be typed, double-spaced, in standard 10- or 12-point
font. Each page must include the title of the story as a header. All pages must
be numbered with both an individual page number and the total number of
pages (e.g., Stormy Night, page 1/15, Stormy Night, page 2/15, Stormy Night,
page 3/15, etc.).

9.  The author's name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address (if
available); and the story word count must be included. These will be
obscured before judging.

10.  Keep a copy of your manuscript! Manuscripts will be recycled, not returned.
Do not send an SASE.

11.  Contest winner and runner up will be contacted via email (or phone number)
before they are announced at The Lakefly Literary Conference.

Lakefly Literary Conference

Registration is now open for the Lakefly Literary Conference May 10-11, at the Oshkosh Convention Center. Early bird registration fee is $45; $70 at the door. If booking a hotel room, remember to ask for the group discount rate of $99.

More information is available at www.lakeflylit.org

Meeting Reminder - March 2

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 2 at HARDEE'S on Jackson Street, Oshkosh. (The library will be taken over by Dr. Suess birthday events from 11 to 3.)

Janet is the Spotlight Author. Everyone was e-mail her manuscript last week in both pdf and rich text formats. Please email oawc @aol.com if you need it to re-sent.

Meeting reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m Saturday, Feb. 16 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Laurie is the Spotlight Author.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 or older.

Meeting Reminder

Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 2 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave.

Laurie M. is the Spotlight Author.

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.

Jan. 19 meeting reminder

The Oshkosh Area Writer's Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jab. 17 in the lower level of the Oshkosh Public Library. Tom is the Author Spotlight with his piece titled "Wayne."

As always, meetings are free and open to anyone 17 and older.

Wisconsin Poet Laureate

Max Garland from Eau Claire has been selected as the 2013-2014 Wisconsin Poet Laureate.  Read more about him here.

Local Author - Juliet Rosetti

Got a Kindle for Christmas? Download "The Escape Diaries" by our member, Juliet Rosetti. This is the first in a trilogy amd was just released by Random House Dec. 16th. 

And don't forget to leave a review!

Meeting Reminder

Just a reminder that the Oshkosh Area Writers Club will meet at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 in the lower level meeting room of the Oshkosh Public Library. Dixie is the Author Spotlight and the writing prompt is to write about your White Elephant gift.

As always, meeting are free and open to anyone age 17 and older.